The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-19
A FORTUNE IN CHARITY.
How George w. Childs. the Philadelphia
Philanthropist, Spends His Money.

How George w. Chiids, the Philadelphia
Philanthropist, Spends His Money.
Correspondence Pittsburg Dispatch.
You have heard, perhaps that Mr.. Childs
has an income of 81, 600 day from his news
paper alone. Beside, he is interested in many
other successful enterprises. He owns q deal
of real estate in the city, and with his intimate
friend, Mr. Drexel, the banker. is the proprie-
tor of a whole town about fifteen miles
out. Indeed, his income is so large that he
fortune every year. l CHANGED once to catch
a glimpse of private record of his gifts and
charity that he naturally as business man,
Keeps, so that his accounts may be straight
The record as for the month of June In those
thirty days he had given away $28, 600. or nearly
81, 900 day 1t will be agreed. / take it, that a
man who can lay. up treasures in heaven at that
rate must have an enormous balance at his
earthly bankers. also.
1t would be equally interesting, imagine. to
know how he manages to bring it all about
What are his principles, his methods his guild
ing stars9 asked him once and he told me that
he had just two notices. They were very SIM
pie and homely. You have beard them before,
and may even be inclined to cry ''chestnuts."
just the same, they contain a word of wisdom.
Well, the maxims of George w. Childs are:
Do the best and leave the rest
What can't be cured must be endured
"All that know is summed up in those two
maxims,' said the man of millions. "They have
served me through life, and l have never been
able to discover anything better or sounder." 1t
is because he believes in these sayings so sim
cerey, doubtless, that ne is also so hopeful, SO
serene. so even tempered. No man has ever seen
him angry or even ruffied, and he goes through
enough to sour the sweetness OF a saint. Bores,
self-seekers, charlatans poster him every day.
and he turns them all off with a smile and
dial word. But his mo- though smooth, is as
hard as adamant
One might fancy that having so much, he
would revel in luxury.
But he doesn't
What beautiful carriage you have said a
woman to him one day, who had called at his
Office and wanted to be particularly amiable.
$50 believe" he answered, though haven't
ridden in it for year."
He is great walker. He will not 20 any
where in a vehicle when he can travel afoot
He walks from his town house to his Office and
back, considerable distance, every day. When
he is living in the country he insists on walking
TO and from the station at least 1t was while
walking home last winter that ne fell and re-
ceved the injury to his head that became so
serious matter. Indeed, the danger
may not be wholly passed yet, for
his physician permits him to write but we're lit
tie, and much mental exertion still brings on a
pain in the head. One might imagine, that
having suffered so much, he would be terrorized
into using a carriage on the slightest provoca-
ton. But not so. For so soon as he was allowed
by his physician to 60 down to his office, he In
sisted on walking.
The only compromise he would make was that
on days when the weather was particularly bad
he would take car. Ordinarily the state of
the weather makes difference TO him. He
will trudge through rain and slusn as contented-
" as he saunters along fair day. Bu1
though he rides in his carriage hardly more than
once in year. his turnout is perfectly appoint
ed. His horses are superb and his stable is a
white marble palace.
WhaE about his dinners and his drinks2
He el1s and drinks about as little as any man
I ever heard of. He has superb wine cellar.
but he never touches wines or intoxcants of
any kind He doesn't know the taste of them.
Appolinaris water, which is served in a
superb silver fagon, is his favorite tip
pie at dinner He never uses even tea
| or coffee. AS to his eating, wheaton grits and
| oatmeal porridge his favorite dishes. AL
| though he entertains SO much and is a conspic-
uous figure at many notable dinners, he scarce
| ly even nibbles at anything during the enter.
| tanment. and of course. he pledges every one in
| glass of water But his hospitality is the
| hospitality of prince Nothing is too good for
! his guests. When he gives a large entertain
ment the four quarters of the globe are levied
/ on to provide for the wants and the fancies oil
! those he asks to his house. He is like that ole
St. Alphonsus, of whom we read he sc
frightfully rigorous with himself, but SO gentle
/ with everybody else.